After the debate, he said that while there were some advantages to the proposals: “I am still very concerned that the premises is not nearly big enough, which can only lead to longer queues, longer waiting times and a diminished service.”

He feared what would happen if the contract with the ‘relatively new independent store’ turned out to be unsustainable and unable to continue.

“I am also very concerned about the prospect of existing staff given that in other recent Post Office transfers only 10 out of 400 direct Post Office employees have transferred to the new business,” he said.

The Post Office was ‘missing an opportunity to expand its services’ at ‘a time when conventional banks are deserting the high street’, he said.

Councillor Lee Cowen, who has led community rallies opposing the changes and started an online petition, said he never imagined ‘such a pokey little shop’ would be selected.

He said customers were already ‘spilling out of the door and onto the pavement’ at the current North Road building.

“I don’t think the plans are good enough. I don’t think it’s acceptable,” he said.